Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

I think it's the addition of the vanilla pudding mix that makes these so good!

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Yields: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup shortening (Crisco is best)
• 1⁄2 cup butter (no subsitutions please)
• 3⁄4 cup  firmly-packed brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup white sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 1 (3 1/2ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped pecans or 1 1⁄2 cups walnuts
• 1  cup quick-cooking oats (uncooked)

Directions

1. Set oven to 375 degrees.
2. Lightly grease baking sheets.
3. In a bowl, beat shortening and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer, until creamy; gradually beat in sugars, beating well.
4. Add in the 2 eggs; beat until blended, then mix in the pudding mix and vanilla.
5. In another bowl, combine the flour, and the next 4 ingredients.
6. Gradually add to the butter/egg mixture, beating until blended.
7. Stir in the chocolate chips, nuts and oats.
8. Shape the dough into 1-1/2-inch balls.
9. Place on a cookie sheet, leaving enough space between the balls.
10. Press the balls to 1-inch thickness (the bottom of a glass works well for this).
11. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
12. Remove cookies to wire racks.